This year's DSO theme was Carnival, the main focus of many of the exercises was 'stay.'

Head out to the field:

Your first obstacle is the "Test of Strength"There are three areas to choose from for points - 25, 15 and 5. You select an area and put your dog in a position of control (sit, stand or down) then you raise a hammer over your head and slam it down onto the target and try to ring the bell. If your dog breaks, you lose all of your points, so you have to make the best decision for your dog - it's all or nothing!

Once you're done with the Test of Strength you're on to the next challenge. But on the way, there is a clown who wants to sell you balloons

After you've convinced the friendly balloon seller that you really don't want to buy anything from them, you arrive at the heeling portion of your obedience. You start at the white flag, then proceed to the end of the balance beam. Step up onto the balance beam, then open an umbrella, it is up to you if you want to carry the umbrella the whole length of the balance beam or not. While you are walking, the clown continues to talk to you about his lovely balloons.

Once you're done with the balance beam, it's off to the shooting range!

Again, you have three points areas to pick from - 25, 15 and 5. You put your dog in a position of control and then go to the table and start the game. When you pull the rope there is a loud 'thump' and the plates start to spin, you then pick up the paintball gun and have to shoot three times. Once again, it's all or nothing. If your dog breaks, you lose your points, so you have to chose wisely!

Some people kept it conservative, and kept their points

Some people had long conversations before leaving their dogs

Dog sat through the initial thump

Broke at the paint ball gun... but didn't move...

Then did a down at a distance to save a few points

Now it's time for the carnival ride!!!! It's up to the handler where the dog and the handler ride. The front has a decoy, the back has balloons and stuffed animals.

After the carnival ride, the obedience only dogs go to meet the judge and then go off the field.

Oh, and about those stuffed animals in the back of the carnival ride...

For the protection dogs, it's time for the civil work: first on the tie out

Then to the car agitiation:A friendly stranger approaches your car, and has a conversation with you

Then becomes agitated and threatening:

The final step of beginner protection is handler defense:You put your dog in a position of control and are approached by a friendly decoy who shakes your hand and speaks to you for a few seconds.

Then the decoy grabs you and your dog comes to your defense:

And when it's all done, Rue made sure the bad guy wasn't going anywhere

Michelle

Inside me is a thin woman trying to get out. I usually shut the bitch up with a martini.